Plug for beverage container lid

ABSTRACT

A device and system for temporarily sealing an orifice in a beverage container lid comprising a plug ( 10, 110,210,310 ) having an upper surface ( 14,114,214 ), a body portion ( 12,112 ), and a lower surface ( 16,116,216 ), said body portion adapted to be inserted and releasably retained in the orifice to provide a temporary seal thereof, and an external member ( 20,120,220 ) located on the upper surface of the plug configured to allow a user to grip the plug for ease of removal from the orifice.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/084,195, filed Apr. 25, 2008, which is a U.S. National PhaseApplication of PCT International Application Number PCT/US2006/042620,filed on Oct. 31, 2006, designating the United States of America andpublished in the English language, which is an International Applicationof and claims the benefit and priority to U.S. application Ser. No.11/323,824, filed on Dec. 30, 2005, and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/732,826, filed on Nov. 1, 2005, all of which arehereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of beverage containers and, moreparticularly, to plugs for sealing the lids of beverage containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many beverages are sold from bulk or as single serving preparations, anddispensed into beverage containers, which are usually in the form ofplastic or paper cups. Numerous different types of lids have been usedfor such containers, and, in addition to providing a thermal barrier tomaintain the serving temperature, the lids are intended to retain thebeverage in the container when the container is transported or isaccidentally disturbed. Commonly, such lids will also provide an orificein the upper surface, allowing the beverage to be consumed withoutremoving the lid. Such containers and such lids are commonly single-usedisposable items and, accordingly, must be capable of being produced ata low cost.

A typical lid for such a beverage container is formed from thin plasticsheet material, for example by vacuum forming, and comprises a toppanel, either flat or domed, with a downwardly depending peripheral rim.The plastic material of the lid is typically somewhat flexible andresilient so that the lid can be fitted over the open end of a suitablysized beverage container. The rim of the lid grips the rim of the openend of the container, and the beverage is then retained within thecontainer. The orifice is commonly provided in the outer portion of thetop panel, or in the dome of domed lids. Unfortunately, this orificereduces the effectiveness of the thermal barrier, and provides anopening through which the beverage can spill should the container beaccidentally disturbed.

Thus, it is considered desirable to provide a low cost device thatenables the orifice to be temporarily plugged, and thus increase theefficiency of the thermal barrier, while also increasing the security ofthe beverage during transportation of the container. If desired, anumber of additional functions can be incorporated into such a device aswell.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device and system for temporarilysealing an orifice in a beverage container lid.

In one aspect, the device comprises a plug having an upper surface, abody portion and a lower surface. The body portion is adapted to beinserted and releasably retained in the orifice of the lid to provide atemporary seal thereof. The device also includes an external memberlocated on the upper surface of the plug configured to allow a user togrip the plug for ease of removal from the orifice.

In another aspect, the system of the present invention comprises acontainer for containing a liquid beverage having an open end, a lidhaving at least one orifice and configured to attach to the open end ofthe container, and a plug for temporarily sealing the orifice in thebeverage container lid. The plug comprises an upper surface, a bodyportion and a lower surface. The body portion is adapted to be insertedand releasably retained in the orifice of the lid to provide a temporaryseal thereof. The device also includes an external member located on theupper surface of the plug configured to allow a user to grip the plugfor ease of removal from the orifice.

Other and further aspects of the invention will be readily apparent fromthe following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the inventiondepicting the plug including the body portion, the optional cap, and theexternal member;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a number of conventional beverage containerlids, depicting various conventional orifices in accordance with theprior art;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention depicting the plug including the body portion, the optionalcap, the external member, and the optional elongate projection;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment ofthe invention depicting the including the body portion, the optionalcap, the external member, the optional elongate projection and a channelfor removing liquid from the beverage container; and

FIG. 5 is a graphic representation of yet another alternative embodimentof the invention depicting the plug and the external member while thedevice is in situ in the orifice of a beverage container lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a device and system for temporarilysealing an orifice in a beverage container lid.

In one aspect, the device comprises a plug having an upper surface, abody portion and a lower surface. The body portion is adapted to beinserted and releasably retained in the orifice of the lid to provide atemporary seal thereof. The device also includes an external memberlocated on the upper surface of the plug configured to allow a user togrip the plug for ease of removal from the orifice.

Most often, the present device will be configured to meet therequirements of a conventional lid for such a beverage container, eachof which are most commonly circular in horizontal cross section. Suchlid will typically be formed from thin plastic sheet material, forexample by vacuum forming, and including a top panel, either flat ordomed, with a downwardly depending peripheral rim. The plastic materialof the lid is typically somewhat flexible and resilient, as is the rimof the open end of the container, so that the lid can be fitted over theopen end of a suitably sized beverage container. The rim of the lid thengrips the rim of the open end of the container, whereby the beverage isretained within the container. The orifice of the lid is commonlyprovided in the outer portion of the top panel, near the dependingperipheral rim, or in the dome or domed lids. Less commonly, lids forbeverage containers are also available with a flap that is pressed down(or lifted up) to open the orifice in the lid.

Thus, in another aspect, the system of the present invention comprises acontainer for containing a liquid beverage having an open end, a lidhaving at least one orifice and configured to attach to the open end ofthe container, and a plug for temporarily sealing the orifice in thebeverage container lid. The plug comprises an upper surface, a bodyportion and a lower surface. The body portion is adapted to be insertedand releasably retained in the orifice of the lid to provide a temporaryseal thereof. The device also includes an external member located on theupper surface of the plug configured to allow a user to grip the plugfor ease of removal from the orifice.

Turning now to the several figures of the drawing, where like elementsare identified by like numerals and corresponding or equivalent elementsare identified by corresponding numerals throughout the figures, FIG. 1shows a plug device 10 including a body portion 12 adapted to beinserted and releasably retained in the orifice of a beverage containerlid to provide a temporary seal thereof. Plug 10 also includes an uppersurface 14 and a lower surface 16, and, optionally, a “cap” feature 18on the upper surface 14. Also depicted as extending from upper surface14 is an external member 20 to provide a feature allowing the user ofplug 10 to more easily grip the plug for insertion and removal from theorifice of the lid.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, body portion 12 of plug 10will be shaped so that the horizontal cross section of body portion 12approximates the shape of the orifice in the beverage container lid, soas to provide an interference fit in the orifice. As depicted in FIG. 2,one common shape employed for the orifice of a conventional beveragecontainer lid is best described as “sausage-shaped” in which the endsare roughly hemi-circular, and the middle portion is curved, for exampleto somewhat approximate the curve of the outer edge of the top panel ofthe lid, thus providing a convenient way to consume the beverage withoutresort to removing the lid. Alternatively, another common shape employedfor such an orifice is best described as an “oval-shaped” orifice inwhich the ends are roughly hemi-circular, and the middle portion isrelatively linear, suggestive of a motorsports racetrack oval. Lesscommonly, the orifice will be generally circular in shape, but moresignificantly, the orifice is always substantially smaller in size thanthe lid and the open end of the beverage container. By substantiallysmaller it is meant that the area of the orifice is typically less thanapproximately 50 percent of the area of the lid, more commonly less thanapproximately 20 percent, and most commonly in the range of fromapproximately 0.2 percent to approximately 10 percent of the area of thelid. Thus, the horizontal cross-sectional dimensions of the present bodyportion 12 will be substantially smaller than those of the lid and theopen end of the beverage container, and will most often be of adifferent shape as well.

In lids for beverage containers having a flap that is pressed down (orlifted up) to open the orifice in the lid, the orifice is more oftenshaped as an oblong, or a three- or four-sided opening. Clearly,numerous alternative shapes exist for the orifice, and the present plugneed only have a body portion that approximates such shape, or anappropriately designed cap feature, in order to incorporate the desiredsealing function.

As will be seen from FIG. 1, the upper surface of the plug body willtypically, but not necessarily, be flat, or optionally “capped” with ashaped cap feature 18 that exceeds the horizontal cross-sectionaldimensions of the body portion 12. This cap feature 18 can serve anumber of functions, including providing a limit to the insertion ofplug 10 into the orifice, additional sealing of the orifice to inhibitleaking of the beverage, and the like. Alternatively, or in addition,the upper surface 14 of the body portion 12 can be shaped to match somedesign characteristic of the external member 20.

The body portion 12 of plug 10 will desirably, but not necessarily,include a taper, narrower at the lower surface 16 and wider at the uppersurface 14, so as to facilitate the insertion and retention of plug 10in the orifice. In certain embodiments, the sidewalls 22, 22′ (notshown) of the body portion 12 can be recessed, in order to simplifyinsertion of plug 10 into the orifice. In such embodiments, optional capfeature 18 of upper surface 14 will provide much if not all of thesealing function of plug 10. In certain other embodiments, body portion12 can include a circumferential depression, located at an appropriatepoint below the upper surface 14 where the body portion 12 is slightlyover-sized to the lid orifice, and configured to provide a “snap-fit”when plug 10 is inserted into the lid orifice, and thus increase thesecurity and retention of plug 10 in the orifice. However, care shouldbe taken to avoid too tight of a fit between plug 10 and the orifice, asan excessively tight fit would make it difficult for the user to removeplug 10 for consumption of the beverage without removing the lid at thesame time.

The present plug device will be formed from any acceptable material,such as plastic, resin or metal, and the like, and the body portion ofthe plug can be solid or hollow, so as to reduce weight or to provideadditional functionalities. In embodiments in which the body portionsare at least partially hollow, the lower surface can also be open to theinterior of the beverage container, while preserving the sealingfunction.

As will be seen in FIG. 1, external member 20 located on upper surface14 of plug 10 will include proximal 24 and distal regions 26, and canassume any desired shape. In certain preferred embodiments, externalmember 20 can be shaped in the form of a flat polygon or disk or thelike, which would provide a convenient grip for the user of the plug,and allow the placement of displays or messages and/or images, such aslogos, advertising messages, promotions and the like, on either or bothof the flat surfaces 28, 28′ (not shown) of the external member 20,either by molding, embossing, printing, applying labels, and the like.Alternatively, external member 20 can assume a free-form shape, take theshape of an advertising logo or other insignia deemed attractive to thebeverage seller or the beverage consumer. The precise size and shape ofexternal member 20 is not deemed critical to its ability to perform theintended function(s). However, for ease of use for displays, such asadvertising and the like, the flat sides of a preferred external member20 as described above will generally range in size from approximately0.5 to approximately 15 square centimeters, more commonly fromapproximately 1 to approximately 10 square centimeters, in order toprovide sufficient space for the display and to facilitate thelegibility thereof. Of course, it is also within the scope of thepresent invention to formulate such displays in a more technologicallysophisticated manner, such as lighted or scrolling displays employing,for example, light emitting diodes and/or liquid crystal displays, andthe like. Naturally, such more sophisticated displays would likelyincrease the per unit cost of the present invention.

The lower surface 16 of the plug 10 can be rounded, as depicted in FIG.1, or it can be truncated so as to approximate the cross-sectional shapeof the body portion 12, or any desired alternative form. Alternatively,as disclosed above, lower surface 16 can be recessed, for example wherebody portion 12 is at least partially hollow.

Optionally, as depicted in FIG. 3, lower surface 116 of plug 110 can beshaped to include an elongate projection 130 depending downwardly, thushaving proximal 132 and distal 134 ends, so as to provide for example ameans to stir the beverage, similar to a conventional stir-stick asoften included as a separate item with containers of coffee and othersimilar beverages. The elongate projection 130 can be of any reasonablelength, but the overall length will be limited by the height of thebeverage container and the amount of body portion 112 that projectsbelow the lid when plug 110 is inserted into the lid orifice. Oneconvenient length for the present plug (e.g. plug 110) is a dimensionthat will allow the plug to be fitted into the beverage container and/orlid for packaging as a unit, such as with the system of the presentinvention. For example, typical beverage containers could be packagedwith a plug inside, for ease of shipping and storage. Further, typicalbeverage containers often include a rim around the bottom, and thepresent plug could be sized to fit into the recess created by such arim, so that it is outside the container but packaged in conjunction. Insuch embodiments, the present plug would desirably be size to fit sothat the diametrically opposed edges of the rim fit against the plug,thus retaining the plug in a loose interference fit. Elongate projection130 can also be provided with any convenient width, typically somewhatless than the width of the body portion 112 of the plug 110, and anyconvenient cross section, such as substantially circular, substantiallyoval, substantially quadrilateral, and substantially polygonal crosssections, and the like, while retaining the stirring functionality.

As shown in FIG. 3, a further optional feature of the elongateprojection 130 is the possible inclusion of one or more “score lines” orgrooves 131 aligned approximately with the width of the projection atpre-selected locations along the length of the projection. Each suchscore line will provide a convenient point at which to break off anunwanted portion of the elongate projection 130 to adjust the length ofthe projection to meet certain requirements (such as adjusting thelength to adapt to different size beverage containers, shortening orremoving the projection after use, and the like). The placement andconfiguration of optional score line(s) 131 will be determined to meetindividual requirements, and in particular, the configuration of eachscore line 131 will be determined in part by the desire to avoidinadvertent breakage while facilitating intentional breakage. Forexample, the depth and shape of any particular score line 131 will oftenbe dictated by considerations involving ease of manufacture and theselected material used to form the plug 10, so that breaking theelongate projection 130 at the particular score line 131 will involvepurposeful but not undue effort.

In addition, as depicted in FIG. 4, elongate projection 230 can behollow, if desired to reduce weight, or to provide an additionalfunctionality as a straw. In such embodiments, the projection willtypically extend sufficiently to approach the bottom of the beveragecontainer, and include an opening 236 at or near the distal end 234, soas to provide access to the beverage in the container. This elongateprojection 230 will then comprise a channel 238, which communicates witha hollow region 240 in plug 210, and thence lead through external member220 to a complementary opening 242, thus completing channel 238 to allowthe user to gain access to the beverage in the container withoutremoving either the lid or plug 210. This opening 242 can be located ator near the distal region 226 of external member 220, for example, inthe upper rim of a disk-shaped external member, or in any convenientlocation.

One alternative for inclusion of such an access feature (and a stirringfunction) in the present plug 10, 110, 210 is to form a channel 238between the upper 14, 114, 214 and lower 16, 116, 216 surfaces of theplug, optionally also though or opening alongside external member 20,120, 220, and an optional elongate projection 130, 230, which channel isconfigured to allow the insertion of a straw, such as a conventionalplastic straw as used for serving beverages in commercial environments,in a close but slideable relationship with the plug 10, 110, 210. Thisoptional included straw could then also provide the stirringfunctionality of the elongate projection 130, 230 and simplify theadjustment of the length, by sliding relative to the plug 10, 110, 210and thus allowing an adjustable length straw/elongate projection toadapt to particular beverage containers.

Alternatively, or in addition, the distal end 134, 234 of the elongateprojection 130, 230 can be shaped as a paddle, or a scoop, or anyalternative shape that can improve its functionality, or provideadditional functionality beyond those already described herein. Suchimprovements will readily occur to those having access to the presentdescription of the invention.

FIG. 5 depicts one representative embodiment of a plug 310 of thepresent invention that has been inserted into the orifice of aconventional beverage container lid, and showing the use of the optionalcap 318 to provide an additional sealing function for plug 310.

In most embodiments of the present invention, the plug, the externalmember and the optional elongate projection will be monolithic, that is,formed or fabricated as a single piece, typically as a unitary articlefrom the same material and at the same time. Typically, in order toproduce the present plugs at the lowest cost, some form of moldingprocess will be employed, and the plugs will typically be fabricatedfrom some form of plastic material, all in accordance with meansroutinely known and/or employed in such fabrications, either presentlyor in the future.

Alternatively, the present plugs can be formed of, for example, metal,epoxy resin, and other similar durable materials, also in accordancewith means routinely known and/or employed in such fabrications, eitherpresently or in the future. Such plugs will be expected to be betterable to endure the rigors of re-use, storage in the user's pocket or ona key-chain, or the like. Such plugs can readily be envisioned as takingon various attributed of fine jewelry, for example in the fabricationmaterials and/or elements of ornamentation. In embodiments of thepresent plug that are intended to be stored on a key-chain for example,it would be considered desirable to incorporate a “quick-release”feature to separate the plug from the key-chain, and again suchquick-release features are well know and readily adaptable to use withthe present invention.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity andunderstanding, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artin light of the disclosure that certain changes and modifications may bemade thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appendedclaims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A device for temporarily sealing an orifice in abeverage container lid, the device comprising a plug configured to be atleast partially received within an orifice of a lid for a beveragecontainer, the plug comprising an upper surface and a lower surfacedisposed opposite the upper surface; and an elongate projectionextending from the lower surface and configured to allow a user to stira beverage contained in the beverage container, the elongate projectionhaving proximal and distal ends, wherein the elongate projectioncomprises at least one separation element configured to provide a pointto break off a portion of the elongate projection distal end from theplug.
 22. The device of claim 21, further comprising a cap portiondisposed on the upper surface.
 23. The device of claim 22, wherein theplug has a maximum horizontal cross sectional dimension and wherein thecap portion has a horizontal cross sectional dimension that exceeds themaximum horizontal cross sectional dimension of the plug.
 24. The deviceof claim 21, wherein the plug comprises a first sidewall disposedbetween the upper and the lower surface.
 25. The device of claim 24,wherein the first sidewall comprises a first recess.
 26. The device ofclaim 25, wherein the first recess extends substantially parallel to alongitudinal axis of the plug.
 27. The device of claim 25, wherein theplug comprises a second sidewall disposed opposite the first sidewall.28. The device of claim 27, wherein the second sidewall comprises asecond recess.
 29. The device of claim 28, wherein the second recessdefines extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of theplug.
 30. The device of claim 28, wherein the first recess and thesecond recess are juxtaposed along a lateral axis on opposite sides ofthe plug relative to a longitudinal axis of the plug.
 31. The device ofclaim 22, further comprising an external member configured to allow auser to grip the device for insertion and removal of the plug from theorifice.
 32. The device of claim 31, wherein the external member extendsfrom the cap portion in a direction away from the lower surface.
 33. Thedevice of claim 21, wherein at least one separation element is locatednearer to the lower surface than a distal end of the elongateprojection.
 34. The device of claim 21, wherein the at least oneseparation element comprises a score line.
 35. The device of claim 34,wherein the at least one score line extends perpendicularly to alongitudinal axis of the plug.
 36. The device of claim 34, wherein theat least one score line comprises a groove.
 37. A plug for use with abeverage container lid having at least one orifice, the plug comprising:a body portion having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein thebody portion has a maximum cross sectional dimension; and an elongateprojection extending from the lower surface, the elongate portion havinga maximum cross sectional dimension that is less than the maximum crosssectional dimension of the body portion, the elongate projection havingat least one separation element configured to provide a point to breakoff a distal portion of the elongate projection, wherein the distal endportion of the elongate projection comprises a stirring elementconfigured to allow a user to stir a beverage contained in the beveragecontainer.
 38. The plug of claim 37, wherein the stirring elementcomprises a scoop.
 39. The plug of claim 37, wherein the stirringelement comprises a paddle.
 40. The plug of claim 37, further comprisinga cap portion disposed on the upper surface, the cap portion configuredto provide a limit to the insertion of the body portion into theorifice.
 41. The plug of claim 40, wherein the cap portion has a crosssectional dimension that exceeds the maximum horizontal cross sectionaldimension of the body portion.
 42. The plug of claim 41, wherein thebody portion comprises a first sidewall disposed between the upper andthe lower surface.
 43. The plug of claim 42, wherein the first sidewallcomprises a first recess.
 44. The plug of claim 43, wherein the firstrecess extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of theelongate projection.
 45. The plug of claim 42, wherein the body portioncomprises a second sidewall disposed opposite the first sidewall. 46.The plug of claim 45, wherein the second sidewall comprises a secondrecess.
 47. The plug of claim 46, wherein the second recess extendssubstantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongateprojection.
 48. The plug of claim 46, wherein the first recess and thesecond recess are juxtaposed along a lateral axis on opposite sides ofthe body portion relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongateprojection.
 49. The plug of claim 37, wherein the at least oneseparation element comprises a score line.
 50. The plug of claim 49,wherein the at least one score line extends perpendicular to alongitudinal axis of the elongate projection.
 51. The plug of claim 49,wherein the at least one score line comprises a groove.
 52. A device foruse with a beverage container, the device comprising: a body portionhaving an upper surface and a lower surface that is offset from theupper surface along a longitudinal axis of the body portion, wherein thebody portion is configured to plug an orifice in a lid for the beveragecontainer; an external member extending from the upper surface andconfigured to allow a user to grip the device; and an elongateprojection extending from the lower surface in a direction substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the body portion, the elongateprojection comprising a proximate portion near the body portion and adistal portion, wherein the elongate projection comprises at least oneseparation element configured to provide a point at which to separatethe distal portion of the elongate projection from the proximateportion.
 53. The device of claim 52, wherein the at least one separationelement comprises a score line.
 54. The device of claim 53, wherein theat least one score line extends perpendicularly to the longitudinalaxis.
 55. The device of claim 53, wherein the at least one score linecomprises a groove.
 56. The device of claim 52, wherein the at least oneseparation element is disposed nearer to the body portion than thedistal end of the elongate projection.
 57. The device of claim 52,wherein the elongate projection comprises a scoop.
 58. The device ofclaim 52, wherein the elongate projection comprises a paddle.
 59. Thedevice of claim 52, wherein the body portion comprises a first recessedsidewall disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface, and asecond recessed sidewall disposed between the upper surface and thelower surface.